Dripping Springs ISD Bond Approved by Voters
By Elle Bent, Community Impact
As of 11p, the $223.7 million bond proposed by Dripping Springs ISD was approved by 64.1% of voters as of May 6.
The passing of this May bond package comes six months after a similar, but a $481.13 million bond failed in November.
“I am absolutely thrilled that this community showed up for our schools and our children,” Terri Purdy, chair of the Friends of Dripping Springs Education and DSISD parent said. “I think the fact the results in favor shows the community is here to invest in our schools.”
The bond will allow for the construction of a new elementary school, expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle school and the design for three additional schools to address district growth. The package also includes capital improvements, new buses, and a new 18+ special education facility.
“We needed this to be an overwhelming win,” Purdy said. “I hope all the teachers and staff feel support.”
The May package is $257.43 million less than November’s, but addresses similar concerns from district officials including address growth needs and capital improvements.
DSISD is a rapidly growing district, according to superintendent Holly Morris-Kuentz. A total of 11,000 new single-family homes are planned within the district’s boundaries, which has grown by 29.9% from 2016 to 2021, Morris-Kuentz said.
The full bond package asked voters to fund:
Construction of Elementary School No. 6 with capacity of 850 students: $66,264,500
Expansion of Sycamore Springs to 1,200 student capacity: $33,216,832
Design of Middle School No. 3: $4 million
Design of Elementary No. 7: $2.5 million
Design of High School No. 2: $10.5 million
Building of new special education 18+ facility: $3,413,440
Purchase of land: $15 million
Capital improvements at Dripping Elementary, Dripping Springs Middle, Dripping Springs High and Rooster Springs Elementary. Includes campus security and ADA updates: $82,045,030
Technology infrastructure (network, firewall, servers, AV): $2,352,681
13 replacement buses: $2,028,543
Classroom portables: $1,113,881
Child nutrition services equipment replacements (kitchen): $1,264,000
